by Kelly Eric Ehor | Dec 23, 2024 | Nigeria, Other Sports
Defending champion Francis Epe showcased an exceptional performance at the Ikoyi Golf Course over the weekend, claiming his second Ultimate Golf Challenge title.
The tournament featured 39 elite professional golfers, including players from the PGA of Nigeria’s Order of Merit list, the USPGA, and neighboring countries.
Epe emerged victorious in the 36-hole competition with a remarkable score of 6-under par 136, edging out Ghanaian Vincent Torgah by two shots. Epe maintained consistency, carding a 3-under par 68 in both rounds.
Torgah, who finished second, mounted a strong comeback in the final round with an impressive 4-under par 67 but couldn’t close the gap. Patrick Paul, representing the Ikoyi Club, secured third place with a score of 1-over par 143.
Other notable players included Gabriel Ejembi and Godwin Okoko, who delivered commendable performances.
Femi Pedro, the grand patron of the Ultimate Golf Challenge, expressed satisfaction with the competition and reiterated the commitment to fostering professional golf in Nigeria.
Chairman of the tournament’s organizing committee, Akin Semowo, praised the unique format of the event, which includes 36 holes played in one day, and promised further improvements in future editions.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Dec 23, 2024 | Nigeria, Other Sports
Africa Games and African Championship medallist Matthew Kuti has been dethroned as national champion at the second Daniel Ford Elite Youth Invitational Table Tennis Championships. Rabiat Ayoola also emerged as the new U-19 girls’ champion during the two-day event, which concluded on Saturday in Lagos.
Organized by the Nigeria Tennis Federation and sponsored by UK-based real estate entrepreneur Yemi Edun, the tournament featured 75 top players from across Nigeria.
Despite leading 3-1 in the boys’ U-19 final, Kuti was defeated by Abdulfatai, who mounted an impressive comeback to win 4-3 (7-11, 10-12, 11-8, 8-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-9), claiming his first victory over the defending champion at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.
In the U-19 girls’ final, Rabiat Ayoola staged her own remarkable comeback to defeat Aishat Rabiu 4-3 (11-9, 8-11, 14-16, 8-11, 11-2, 11-5, 11-4) and secure the championship.
The U-15 categories also delivered thrilling contests. Abia State earned their first national title in the girls’ U-15 final as Chinenye Okafor overcame Lagos State’s Ifeoluwa Ajasa 3-2 (11-5, 11-9, 11-13, 9-11, 11-6). Meanwhile, Lagos State’s Abdulamid Adebayo stunned Kogi’s Samuel Dada with a 3-2 victory (4-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-7) to win the boys’ U-15 title.
Special guest Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, praised Yemi Edun for his commitment to youth development. “I commend Yemi Edun for sponsoring this tournament that helps discover new talents. I encourage other Nigerians in the Diaspora to follow his example in supporting our youths,” she stated.
Edun expressed his dedication to growing the tournament and supporting the players’ development. “Consistency is key for us as sponsors, and we hope the players can continue to raise their game. I remember watching events in this stadium years ago, and I share the passion and enthusiasm these players have.”
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Dec 23, 2024 | Ghana, Other Sports
The Ghana Karate Association participated in the recently concluded African Karate Championship, Zone 2 West Region Tournament, held at the Treichville Palais des Sports in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
According to renowned karateka Edmund Amoako Asante, Ghana earned an impressive total of five medals: one silver and four bronzes. The medalists included Edmund Amoako Asante, Gideon Ashiley, Edward Amartey, Abdul Jelil Larbie, and Gabriel Commodore.
He commended the tournament, highlighting its importance in helping athletes maintain competitive
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Dec 23, 2024 | Boxing, Ghana
Box Office Promotions CEO, Alex Ntiamoah Boakye, has expressed confidence in Joseph Commey’s chances of winning the 2024 Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Boxer of the Year Award.
Commey, nicknamed “Jaguar,” has gained a slight edge over fellow contender and Black Bombers teammate Amadu Mohammed. He secured the UBO African Lightweight belt in his professional debut and also won an IBA-organized bout in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, following his gold medal victory at the 13th African Games.
Despite narrowly missing the top spot two seasons ago, Commey has impressed with his stellar performances, including a standout fight against Richmond Ashelley on November 24, which has been hailed as one of the year’s best bouts.
Commey previously represented Ghana at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where he earned a silver medal after illness prevented him from competing in the final.
The SWAG awards, set for January 24, 2025, at the Accra International Conference Centre, will determine the winner through a vote by sports journalists.
by Kelly Eric Ehor | Dec 19, 2024 | Africa, Athletics, Europe, Ghana
Ghanaian sprinter Benjamin Azamati is set to organize the third edition of the Ghana Junior Olympics, an event dedicated to identifying and nurturing young athletic talent.
The competition will take place on Thursday, December 26, 2024, at the University of Ghana Stadium. Speaking in an interview with TV3, Azamati shared that his inspiration for creating the event came from his personal struggles as a young athlete.
“I got this idea when I went to the US and saw how kids are introduced to athletics at an early age. By the time they are 18, many are already in the spotlight. We thought it would be wise to replicate that here in Ghana, and that’s how the Ghana Junior Olympics was born,” he explained.
Azamati emphasized the need to create better opportunities for Ghanaian youth, ensuring they avoid the challenges he faced in his career.
Currently, the event is being funded by Azamati himself, with support from his coach, fellow athletes in the US, and a few other individuals. He appealed to corporate organizations in Ghana to help sustain the initiative.
“For now, everything is from me, my coach, and some individuals. Athletes in the US are also contributing. This year, we expect about 2,000 participants, with a special focus on kids, including toddlers who will have the chance to race,” he added.
Benjamin Azamati first gained global recognition at the 2019 African Games in Rabat, Morocco, where he won gold in the 100 meters with an impressive time of 9.97 seconds.
He also competed in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, qualifying through the official world rankings and finishing 39th globally in the 100 meters. Azamati represented Ghana in both the individual 100m event and the 4x100m relay, marking his second consecutive Olympic appearance.
Through the Ghana Junior Olympics, Azamati aims to inspire young athletes in Ghana and across Africa to pursue their dreams and reach their full potential.
